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PHOTOS: Families share memories WWI veterans

April 6, 2017 marks 100 years since the United States entered World War I. 41 Action News asked Kansas City area residents about their relatives that fought in the Great War. These are there stories.

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Frank Woodruff Buckles served in the Ambulance Service branch of the Army. He was told this was the quickest way to get to France and fight. Buckles was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training.

Courtesy of frankbuckles.org

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Buckles tried to enlist multiple times, even telling recruiters he was older than he was, before he was accepted in 1917. After Armistice Day, Buckles was assigned to be a prisoner-of-war escort to return prisoners back to Germany.

Courtesy of frankbuckles.org

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Buckles, pictured above with members of his family, also served in WWII. While transferring cargoes, he was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese for three-and-a-half years. He was rescued by the 11th Airborne Division on February 23, 1945.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

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In 2008, Buckles was honored at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City as the last living WWI veteran.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

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Buckles passed away in West Virginia at age 110. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

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John T. Wilson was born in Norborne, Missouri. He enlisted in WWI on October 3, 1917 at 26-years-old. Wilson was a mechanic with the 353rd infantry.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

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Wilson was stationed in France until honorable discharge on April 28, 1919

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

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After the War, Wilson married Christine Nicoll in 1920 in Wichita, Kansas.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

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Wilson passed away in the VA Hospital in Kansas City in 1963.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

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Earl Hunter completed basic training at Camp Funston during WWI. He was part of the Medical Corps and traveled with the infantry.

Courtesy of Matt Turner

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Hunter received a medal for his contributions to fighting in Germany. During his tour he took arms in France, Germany and Austria.

Courtesy of Matt Turner

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Hunter served under Kansas City Major Mark Hanna. Hanna died on the last day of the war and is honored in Memory Hall in the WWI Museum Memorial.

Courtesy of Matt Hunter

PHOTOS: Families share memories WWI veterans

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Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Frank Woodruff Buckles served in the Ambulance Service branch of the Army. He was told this was the quickest way to get to France and fight. Buckles was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training.

Courtesy of frankbuckles.org

Buckles tried to enlist multiple times, even telling recruiters he was older than he was, before he was accepted in 1917. After Armistice Day, Buckles was assigned to be a prisoner-of-war escort to return prisoners back to Germany.

Courtesy of frankbuckles.org

Buckles, pictured above with members of his family, also served in WWII. While transferring cargoes, he was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese for three-and-a-half years. He was rescued by the 11th Airborne Division on February 23, 1945.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

In 2008, Buckles was honored at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City as the last living WWI veteran.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

Buckles passed away in West Virginia at age 110. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Courtesy of Mark and Laura Everly Clark

John T. Wilson was born in Norborne, Missouri. He enlisted in WWI on October 3, 1917 at 26-years-old. Wilson was a mechanic with the 353rd infantry.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

Wilson was stationed in France until honorable discharge on April 28, 1919

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

After the War, Wilson married Christine Nicoll in 1920 in Wichita, Kansas.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

Wilson passed away in the VA Hospital in Kansas City in 1963.

Courtesy of Mary Kay White

Earl Hunter completed basic training at Camp Funston during WWI. He was part of the Medical Corps and traveled with the infantry.

Courtesy of Matt Turner

Hunter received a medal for his contributions to fighting in Germany. During his tour he took arms in France, Germany and Austria.

Courtesy of Matt Turner

Hunter served under Kansas City Major Mark Hanna. Hanna died on the last day of the war and is honored in Memory Hall in the WWI Museum Memorial.